Goon: The True Story of an Unlikely Journey into Minor League Hockey

by Doug Smith, Doug Smith

The True Story of an Unlikely Journey into Minor League Hockey chronicles the uniquely wild adventure of Doug Smith, who was determined to realize his dream of playing professional hockey, despite the fact he didn’t start skating until the age of 19. Armed with a burning desire and his only marketable athletic abilities – those honed as an amateur boxer – Doug defeated impossible odds to win a championship ring and play in the world’s second-best hockey league. Goon gives a raw and revealing insider’s look at the riotous world of minor league hockey and the most peculiar role in all of sport – the Goon, whose job is to protect teammates from opposing ruffians. Come along as Doug Smith, an outsider in the hockey world, literally fights his way to the highest level of minor league hockey. You may never view the game in the same light again.

Genres: Sports, Hockey, Nonfiction

210 pages, Paperback

First published June 10, 2002

Reviews

[Gabriel · Rating 2 out of 5]

The movie is better, since it has some comedy relief. This book is interesting although very repetitive.

[Jason Weber · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
The guy who “Goon” was based on. Doug tells his story of being a Goon and being a career minor leaguer.
A must read for any true hockey fan.

[Luke Koran · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I'm here to do whatever they need me to do. If they need me to bleed, then I'll bleed for my team.” Though the real Doug “The Thug” may have not spoken these words in his biography, the 2 Goon movies - based rather loosely off of his life and biography - are beloved by many a hockey fan. Yes, my expectations may have been too high as I finally had the chance to read the book behind the inspiration of those cult movies. The reader will quickly realize that Doug Smith differs from Doug Glatt in many ways, maybe most notably in his journey throughout minor league hockey as a glorified rent-a-goon. However, I still came to appreciate Smith’s story regarding the perception of enforcers in professional hockey through 2000, his detailed memories of various fights through his off-and-on decade-long career, and the grueling minor league hockey experience. Read this book for Doug’s unprecedented rise as an enforcer, as a teammate who did whatever it took to protect his team.

[Jen Show · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mainly read this because it's the inspiration for the movie Goon, but it ended up being a fun look into the minor minor leagues and the life of a non-traditional semi-pro athlete.

At some places the writing is a bit rough, but it works. The quotes from teammates, opponents, and coaches were excellent and did a great job of highlighting aspects of the author/subject's personality.

I'm not sure I would recommend it to anyone who isn't a hockey fan, but it's a fun quick read for anyone who is.

[Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love Hockey you will enjoy this book if you don’t I wouldn’t read it. It is fun to read from the perspective of an enforcer who really enjoyed what he was doing and never felt used by the clubs he played for.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Come along as Doug "the thug" Smith reveals what it's like to work your way up through the hockey ranks as a tough guy enforcer. The book is much better than the movie.

[Jacob Nicks · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's funny in parts but a little repetitive. A quick read without alot to show for it after it's all done. Interesting story altogether

[SA · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is another one that, rather like Jack Falla's Saved, is really only enjoyable if you are puck-obsessed. I can't imagine that anyone else reading this would be as deeply entertained as I was. I picked it up because of the film by the same name, and though they bear inspiration and passing resemblance, the film is definitely fiction. But in the book, you really come to love Doug Smith and his crazy life and odd priorities. He obviously loves the game and his role in it, and it really comes through with how he talks about it.

This being a self-published book I supposed it wasn't surprising that there were things copyediting should have caught scattered throughout the book, but it was pretty damn entertaining for me, and that's about all I can ever ask for.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look at minor league hockey. Would have been better with a more talented author. Makes me hope and pray Sean Pronger (Chris Pronger's brother) one day writes a book. He currently blogs on chrispronger.com under the name "The Journeyman". Now that's who I want to write a book on minor league hockey.

[David A · Rating 3 out of 5]

Weak writing but an unbeatable story. You'll read it in a couple hours and laugh about it for days.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Uneven writing but informative about minor league hockey in general and the role of the enforcer in hockey specifically.